[WATCH]- Gautam Gambhir Back From Vacation With Kids Ahead Of IND–NZ 2026 ODIs

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has returned to Delhi with his children after a family vacation, just ahead of the team’s next assignment. India are scheduled to take on New Zealand in a three-match ODI series at home, starting January 11 in Vadodara. Gambhir was spotted speaking on his phone while exiting the airport.

The former cricketer, now coach, had been in London celebrating the New Year with his family. A video of the 44-year-old’s arrival was shared on photojournalist Pallav Paliwal’s Instagram handle. You can watch the video here:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTH1oisAZPA/?igsh=MTk1OXp6OTFncG5pMg==

Gambhir took a brief break to recharge after India’s demanding multi-format home series against South Africa. The Proteas sealed a 2-0 clean sweep in the two-match Test series, but the hosts responded strongly, clinching the three-match ODI series 2-1 and the five-match T20I series 3-1.

“Should Have Been In The 15”: Ex-Cricketer Criticises Gambhir-Led Management Over Gaikwad’s Omission

Ruturaj Gaikwad was left out of India’s ODI squad for the New Zealand series following vice-captain Shreyas Iyer’s return from injury, a decision that drew criticism from former cricketer Kris Srikkanth. The ex-opener expressed his dissatisfaction with the Gautam Gambhir-led team management for omitting the in-form batter.

Gaikwad’s exclusion came despite a strong showing in his previous appearance, where he registered his maiden ODI hundred. Batting at No. 4, he struck 105 off 83 deliveries in the second match against South Africa. Srikkanth opined that Gaikwad deserved selection ahead of all-rounder Nitish Reddy, making the remarks on his YouTube channel.

“Maybe Ruturaj Gaikwad can say I’ve played with Dhoni so I can also keep. That’s the only way he might get selected in the team. Shreyas Iyer is a certainty, so he should have been included. But Ruturaj Gaikwad should have been in the 15. Instead of having Nitish Kumar Reddy, keep him in the 15.”

“It’s saying even if you score a century, there is no chance. Now Gaikwad has to start from scratch and score a mountain of runs because they’ll forget this century against South Africa. They’ve dropped him also so he has to score big again in domestic cricket.”

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